Chapter 3: Sleep

A month has passed since the near destruction of Drakestone City at the hands of the young mage, Agnes Nera. The Devil's Jewel which encased the Demon Nero, a mysterious demon upon not many know about, fed on Agnes' Magical Powers and now has completely fused itself with her. The Empire sought to use the Demon's power to bolster their strength, however there were no known means of separating the demon from it's host once fully absorbed.

The Devil's Jewel was just one piece of an ancient Delvic relic known in the common tongue as the Legium Vastova, a massive collection of demonic artifacts said to be creature by the Old Gods. It was originally stolen by a master thief, who's identity is not yet revealed, and was given to a young girl by accident. The Delva's tracked the relic and found it in the possession of a young mage, Agnes Nera.

The Emperor, Daniel Padilla, was a collector of all sorts of various artifact, including the head of Izaria the Dammed. Upon learning that the Jewel was stolen from the Delva's, he immediately made arrangements to seize the demonic relic for the use of the Empire. The Emperor was so interested in the Devil's Jewel, that he even tasked his most elite warriors to collect it, the 7 Lions.

So far the Empire has failed on all attempts to separate the demon from Agnes' body. If they killed Agnes, then the Demon would most likely die with her. A brilliant mage suggested that they use a Fabula Nova Crystal to seal the soul of the demon and enslave it, but they needed to take the Demon's soul, not Agnes'. In order to do this, they must awaken Agnes, then have her turn into a Demon, defeat the demon and then seal it within a Fabula Nova Crystal. They prepared for the procedure by creating a Magic Barrier, the size of a small dome, around Agnes. This will serve as the arena upon which the Empire will fight the Demon. The person assigned to this deadly task, is no other than the most powerful Mage in the Empire, Corneus Corvall the 6th Lion.

Agnes was placed in a state of Sleep and has been kept in that state for over a month. Several powerful Mages are require, just to keep her from waking up and some of them are already slowly being corrupted by demon's ominous presence.

"Wake the girl. It is time."

The room has around 30 Imperial Guards, 20 Imperial Mages, 1 of the Seven Lions, and Agnes. One by one the Mages who were keeping Agnes asleep, dropped their hands down and released her from their spell. The Imperial Mages were exhausted, they had been keeping Agnes sleep for more than a month, some of them suddenly collapsed on the floor, they were pulled out of the way of the impending bout.

With the spell casters gone, it was now only a matter of time before Agnes wakes up. Corneus stood in wait, he was normally not worried when fighting opponents but this one was different.

Wearing a tattered cloak and covered head-to-toe in black cloth, the face hidden by a metal mask that's only visible opening was at the eyes, allowing others to see two golden globes peering out, watching the gates for a chance to sneak inside.

Eligor the Conjurer figured that whatever had caused the explosion of magic at Drakestone came from the girl that the knights had dragged from the rubble, and that piqued his interest in a way little else had before. Eligor wondered what was so special about the girl that she possessed such power, so he followed them.

The last month had been spent figuring out a way inside, and in the end he could only come up with one way, and even that was fraught with perils as there was no way to know the forces inside the hold. Knowing he couldn't fight his way through the fortress without sowing his eventual defeat, he needed to figure a way past the guards at the gate, so he summoned his guard and had it carry a pack that he had purchased just for this purpose. He planned to have his summon act the role of the lost traveler although with its lack of vocal cords it was unable to speak. As much as he'd like some conversation, he tried it once and they just. Kept. Talking.

He swore never to let that happen again, although he supposed this time he'd make an exception.

The guard walked up to the gatekeepers with a wide smile on its face, "Hey, do you have any idea where I am? I keep getting lost and no matter which direction I go I always end up back here, I swear its like there's a spell been cast to make it harder on travelers. This whole thing just drives me up a wall. You ever had something like that happen, you just keep walking and walking but you end up just going in circles? Well, that's happened about 8 times today and I am in no mood for a ninth, thank you very much. And I just ran out of water too. Mama didn't intend for her little boy to die of thirst in the middle of nowhere, no she didn't." That it kept talking and talking only proved that Eligor was right to never give them vocal cords.

There were four Imperial Sentries designated to guard the gates of Hellsgard were no ordinary foot soldiers. Their orders were very strict, not to let anyone interfere with the proceedings inside. During the first few seconds, they tolerated the talkative traveler. But as it kept nudging closer and closer towards the Hold, the sentries became alarmed.

"Step back. This land belongs to the Empire." said one of the guards. But the traveler kept talking and talking. The Imperial Sentry had no choice but to cut the traveler down. They quickly discovered that the traveler was merely a conjured being. They were surprised not because it wasn't human, but because this could mean a threat.

"Inform the Captain. Tell him there's a disturbance." One of the Sentries told the other. One of the Sentries quickly run into the Hold.

Eligor shook his head in disappointment. He was honestly surprised they had let it get as close as it did before offing it. And as one of the four sentries ran inside, while he had hoped for 2 he'd take what he could get.

If he managed to silence them before reinforcements arrived, and after slipping inside, all he'd have to do is hide as they passed and as he headed deeper into the hold. Sure they'd be roaming the halls looking for him, but they'd be split up and make an easier time for him.

Rising from his hiding place, he approached the entrance to Hellsgard Hold, book in hand and cloak fluttering behind him.

His voice was raspy from lack of recent use, and the dusty air didn't help matters. "Hello there, how are you all today?" Though his tone was light, there was an undercurrent of something that was just at the edge of view but not close enough to grasp. Eligor knew how they'd react after watching them attack his summon, and it was something he was banking on.

The Imperial Sentries all drew out their swords and raised it against the mysterious man. They were already on high alert. This man was trespassing in the Emperor's land. They didn't care if he was another Conjuration or if he was the one who cast the magic before. Their orders were strict, anyone who tries to interfere with the proceedings inside, were to be executed.

When the dust cloud failed to last for longer than a few seconds, he knew it wasn't going to work. So, quickly deciding on another strategy, raised his hands in the air and called out, "I surrender." Sure it hurt his ego a bit to lose to these youngsters, but as they say, the young often school the old.

The fight had been brutally short, and while he really didn't like throwing fights, it served its purpose.

The Imperial Sentries had strict orders to kill anyone who interfered with official Imperial business. In the midst of the battle Eligor suddenly stopped fighting, he threw his arms up and offered a surrender. They wasn't enough to save his life, however. The Sentries were about to cut Eligor's foolish head off, when suddenly...

"Stop!" a voice from the distance said.

It was sir Thomas Alexander, a knight of the Empire. He returned with the Sentry who left earlier. Thomas was promoted to Captain after the events in Drakestone. He was personally overseeing the proceedings of Agnes' demonic extraction and he was also the newly appointed assistant of the 6th Lion. Though they did have strict orders to kill all who intrude during the ceremony, the kind Captain thought differently.

"Put him in chains, bind his Magic, then take him to the cells." said Thomas. Though he didn't say why he spared Eligor's life, the truth behind it was far more cruel. The 6th's powers are normally enriched by stealing the Magical powers of other Mages. Now that Thomas serves the 6th, he is aware of this fact and wishes to offer Eligor to the 6th to replenish his powers after he defeats the young Mage, Agnes.

Eligor was put in chains and his Magic were bound by some sort of Magic shackle. They took him inside Hellsgard Hold and threw him in the cells. Eligor's Magic would prove to be useless while he's bound. The cell is also guarded by four Sentries. It is located 3 floors beneath the room upon which Agnes is currently being held.

Eligor grunted as he collided with the wall. While he was grateful for the 'rescue' it didn't take a genius to figure out that things wouldn't end well for him if he didn't escape. But that would take some work, and right now he was still a tad battered from the fight.

Leaning against the wall of the cell, he pondered the situation he had gotten himself into all for the sake of curiosity. Sure the girl's powers were fascinating but did that warrant putting his life on the line to learn more about it?

...Eh, he had nothing better to do, and the past century had been rather dull.

The guards outside his cell seemed just as strong as the ones that stood guard outside. Hmm, he wondered how well it would have gone if that last one hadn't left. Shaking his head, he was rather pleased with himself for hiding his tome during the dust cloud 'escape attempt', so that was one less thing to worry about.

Events were moving faster than he had anticipated, but even with these magic repressors he'd find a way out of this cell.

The power he felt from some floor above him (although how far above he had no clue) was enormous, and sent a tingle down his spine as he wondered who it could belong to. Hmm, this was getting rather interesting after all, certainly it proved as quite the diversion, his lip twisted upward just barely in amusement.

The Eternal Voice of the Lifestream echoes it's boundless hymn through the link that every living soul shares in this universe.~ It sings to Agnes during her dormant condition. Whispers of songs made sung may ages ago, streamed through her peaceful mind.~ The warmth of the light presses gently on her soft skin.~ It conjures a simper on the face of Agnes, the light fills her core with euphoria.~

But just as she's finally found peace, a brooding black cascade ruptures from her breast, bursting into a tremendous vile ink, spreading from her and polluting the Lifestream. Following the corruption of the Lifestream, the ominous fluid wraps itself around Agnes, strangling the life out of her.~ Before the end, she espies a vision of herself, darker and sinister, only~ It was no longer her.

She is anguished by the souls who fell victim to her misguided use of her power.~ They pass her one by one, screaming in pain, agony, remorse, and fear. They will never again walk the mortal plain or rejoin the Lifestream, for their souls have been taken by the Dark. The gates of Darkness stand wide open, night and day, seeking the souls of the innocent. For all the souls, Agnes has condemned to the Dark plain, hers would be the sweetest reward.~

Agnes awakens from her long sleep.~

She has no memory of how she devastated the Fighting Pits in Drakestone City. No memory of how she got from there to this place. Her first glance is of an old warlock with angry eyes and a cold heavy heart. Gradually she regains her self, her heart pounds like a drum beneath her breast.~ She's veers around and sees the unfamiliar faces surrounding her. They were preparing, no, waiting for something.~ There were several mages casting a barrier spell around the room, it appears that they were trying to contain something.~ Another view across the room tells Agnes that she was the meaning of all this.

With her proud glazing eyes, she turns to the old man who was standing inside the Magical Prison with her. Her confused and angry veneer didn't change her libidinous-charms, she was still such a sublime sight to admire. Her youthful-innocent beauty bewitches even the most honorable of men. Hence she fears that these men are after her womanhood, had they not already taken it. Or perhaps they were after something else, she had to find out.

Corneus is the 6th strongest among the Seven Lions, but he is not without flaw. He was a very lecherous man, and he had cravings for young beautiful girls like Agnes. Asleep, he had little interest with her, but once she awoke, the fire in her eyes, her young feisty persona peaked Corneus' interest. The more they fought back, the more excited Corneus became.

He wanted more than just to defeat Agnes, he wanted to have his way with her, defile her and perform all sorts of perversions with the young lady. He was excited not only because he was going to fight a demon, but also because he was lusting for Agnes.

But his personal needs were outweighed by his loyalty to the Emperor. Even though he craved to have a taste of Agnes' flesh, Corneus snapped himself out of his fantasy. He refocused his attention to what was needed to be done.

"Fear not my child. For it is not you we desire. It is what's inside you!" Corneus suddenly cast a spell on Agnes, causing her great amounts of pain. He was forcing the demon to come out and take over Agnes so that he can finish it and seal it within a Fabula Nova Crystal.

His choice of weapon was the Book of Ish'mal, which he held in one hand while holding a Fabula Nova Crystal in the other.

It seemed that the girl was able to overpower her captor, if the powerplay he felt overhead was anything to go by. Feeling it was his time to go, he made his attempt at escape. With a deft movement, he tried to remove the shackles keeping him prisoner, if it worked, he'd be free, if not, well...

A surprising twist Agnes, in her demon form, was able to defeat and kill the almighty and powerful Corneus Corvall, the 6th Lion. Everyone in the room was shocked at the outcome of the fight. Seeing their commander die in such a brutal fashion made them quiver in fear, tuck tail and run. They stormed out of the Hold for fear that they might be next. No one dared to fight Agnes, if the 6th couldn't beat her, what chance did a lowly soldier have.

Meanwhile Eligor was left in his cell alone. The Sentries who were guarding him, heard the news and ran as well. Thomas couldn't believe what he saw, he didn't run but he didn't fight either. He fell on his knees, feeling weak and lost. His commander had just been turned into minced meat. The supposedly impenetrable magic defense of the 6th Lion, broken like it was nothing by a young girl. By the time all the Imperial Soldiers had left the Hold, Agnes would've reverted back to human form and would've suffered some injuries.

Frowning at the lack of unity the soldiers were showing, knowing that if they all rushed the girl that eventually she'd tire. No one was invincible after all, but that didn't mean they couldn't get as close to the ideal as possible.

Having escaped his shackled successfully, he let them fall to the ground with a clang and walked out of his cell, the door being easy to bypass. He quickly made use of his ability to heal and energize himself, not wanting to be caught unable to defend himself. Making his way upward to where Agnes was formerly held captive, the power she was giving off a beacon to those who could sense it, he blinked at the kneeling form of Thomas.

The man should have been decisive following his leader's defeat, and yet here he was, near-prostrate on the ground neither speaking nor moving. It would be troublesome if the man tried anything later down the line, but Eligor wasn't in the mood to waste his time on the fool.

Looking inside the room in question, his eyes widened at the form of Agnes. There was no doubt she was the source of the power, and he could never forget the power of the Chaos Legion from his time fighting them.

"I would suggest leaving now, young lady. This is hardly a fitting place for one such as yourself." He cast Energize on the girl as she seemed tired. Eligor's curiosity was sated for the moment, so made his way to the entrance.

Blood scattered across the entire room. The so called 6th Lion was no more than a mortal old man. Without his fancy book, his blue glowing skin, he was the same as everyone else~ and now he'd dead. Butchered like a helpless pig~

After the room was, mostly, cleared Nero retreated to her dormant state because she needed to rest and recover her strength. The battle with the old geezer was no easy task, truth be told, it could've gone the opposite direction. But fortunately Agnes emerged victorious. ~

She couldn't believe how powerful she had become and despite the demon infesting her body, she feels no harm coming from it.~ In fact she feels safer now that she did months ago. Could this be a trick, devised by the demon into tricking Agnes to like it. Or perhaps it was something else, a bond between humans and demons.~ It was still too early to deduce.~

It wasn't purely new to news to her that she had a demon inside her. She knew from the time back in the woods on the outskirts of Drakestone city. She was just too frightened to face the truth.~

She looks around the room and no one was left except some sad knight.~ The dye she used on her hair was starting to fade. She knew the Delva are still after her, and now after this stunt, the Empire would be too. Over the course of a few short months, Agnes has made more enemies than friends.~

She was fixing her dress, when suddenly a stranger looking guy walks into the room and starts talking gibberish. Agnes wasn't paying attention, he left in a hurry anyway. He just used some sort of replenishing spell on Agnes and out he went.~ Agnes didn't leave right away. She stayed in the room a little while longer.

"Where am I?" she asked herself. She begins to ponder around, looking for anything that might be useful.~

There was nothing interesting in the room except for Thomas, who was still mourning the death of his master, and the Fabula Nova Crystal that laid unclaimed near the corpse of the 6th Lion. Meanwhile the Imperial troops who ran from Hellsgard scattered, some of them ran to the nearest Imperial installation, the others went to the nearest town and city.

It took a while to get to the entrance to the fort. The only reason he had been able to find Agnes so easily was due to the magical power rolling off the girl in waves. He had seen the curious stone lying on the ground when he looked inside but ignored it in favor of the female mage. Eligor idly wondered what its purpose was, as he couldn't quite sense it due to Agnes doing nothing to suppress her presence. He had thought he felt a trickle of... something, but without going back a second time with her gone he doubted he'd find out what it was.

Also he wasn't too keen on going near the dead Lion. He'd seen the man before, a few decades ago, although they hadn't interacted as they passed each other on the road going opposite directions. Running feet drew his attention and he threw himself out of the way just in time as a small group of guards thundered past in their haste to escape the demon-girl. There was little he could do right now except leave, although his curiosity over her powers still plagued him.

So when he arrived at the exit, he walked over to where he hid his tome and unearthed it, dusting it off before placing it in the crook of his arm. He walked back to the entrance, wondering how long that child would stay inside what was once her prison.

A steamy Agnes was about to leave, when suddenly a tiny glint caught her eye.~ She turned around and saw the Fabula Nova Crystal laying on the floor beside the old pervert. This wasn't the first time she's been harassed by a dirty old man.~ A cute girl traveling alone, it was such an irresistible trap for lecherous old geezers.~ They've all met the same fate as this stinking pile of meat.~

She went over to the crystal and picked it up. As she bent down to reach for it, her dress was pulled up, exposing a provocative view of her behind. Upfront, her blouse hangs from her back, revealing her nubile breast from a voyeur's point of view.~ Agnes takes the crystal, despite having no idea of the power it possesses, and pockets it.~

It was time to leave, Agnes headed out the door but as she passed by Thomas, she suddenly stopped and said,~ "Uh~ Excuse me But where is the exit?" Agnes politely asked the Captain.~

Thomas noticed that Agnes took Corneus' Fabula Crystal. His rage was gradually building up. It wasn't enough that she disrespectfully trashed Corneus' corpse and now she's even pillaging the 6th's corpse. This girl fought with no honor and she disrespected Thomas' commander/mentor. Thomas wanted to avenge Corneus' death, but he was too afraid, too weak. With a heavy heart he pointed the door at the edge of the room and said, "Beyond that door is a hallway, at the end take the stairs on the left." Thomas managed in spite.

The entire Hold was abandoned, the Imperial forces have vacated the premises after witnessing the destructive power of Agnes and her Demon Form. Eligor was outside, waiting for the girl. Though he appears to be of goodwill, his true intentions lay hidden beneath his mask.

Meanwhile in other parts of the world...

Word of the 6th's death was spreading faster than a deadly disease. The death of Corneus also brought about the awakening of something far older and much darker than he is. Corneus wasn't just some old powerful mage who served the Empire, he was also part of an ancient order that kept the ancient evils at bay for hundreds of centuries.

"Thanks~!" Agnes cheerfully replied to Thomas. I didn't take a genius to figure out what happened, obviously something was living inside Agnes, the same dark entity that had been trying to take control of her in the past. The same one that killed all those innocent people. Agnes wanted it out of her, she didn't care if it gave her super powers, this thing was slowly consuming her soul. Even as she was simply talking to Thomas, she could her the demon whispering from inside her head telling her "Kill him~!" over and over again. The frightening part about it was, Agnes was really tempted to do so. She felt the Demon's hold getting stronger and stronger.

She brushed her hair to the side, took a deep breath and exhaled all the negative energy out.~ She wanted no part in this Devil's lust for blood.~ She averted her eyes from Thomas and briskly walked out of the room. She focused so hard to keep herself from hearing the Demon's words, but they were impossible to block out. At best she could only ignore them. It was telling Agnes, "I'm going to eat your soul~" repeatedly.

Till finally, she managed to get out from that horrid place. The sun's bright hot glare blinded Agnes for a second, she shaded the rays with her hand. As soon as she was exposed in sunlight, the voices were gone from her head. Looking around she saw the weird hooded man. She tried her best to ignore him to avoid killing him. She was about to walk out into the desert, when she suddenly noticed that she didn't have any shoes on. She turned her head sideways, looking for a potential footwear left in the sand. It was stupid and she didn't find any. She was bare feet after all, and the sand was burning hot. She decided not to go back inside the Hold to avoid the voices. Instead she tore parts of her clothing off and wrapped it around her feet.~ It was genius, the cloth prevented the burning temperatures of the sand from harming her sensitive feet. She may have saved her feet from toasting, but her entire body was still subjected to the intense heat from the sun's burning rays.

Agnes ignored the heat, even though it was physically draining, and headed west. She was hoping that her sister in Adellion might know something that could help her. If not her then maybe the Alfeir, who are old and knowledgeable. It matters not who, she was just focused on getting this devil out of her body before she could hurt anyone else.